American tree sparrow (Spizella arborea)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONFIRMATION STATUS: Confirmed.

 

IDENTIFICATION:

• Length: 5.25 inches

• Dark, conical bill with yellow lower mandible

• Rusty crown and eyeline

• Gray supercilium and face

• Gray breast with black spot

• Rust patch at side of breast

• White belly and undertail coverts

• Buffy flanks

• Tan back with dark streaks

• Brown wings with wing bars

• Slim, forked tail

• Sexes similar

• Juvenile plumage (Summer) similar to immature but duller with streak-          ed breast

Similar species:

American tree sparrows are similar to other sparrows with rusty crowns

but have a black spot on the breast. Chipping sparrow has a white super-

cilium and black eye line. Field sparrow has a pink bill and white eye ring.

Swamp sparrow has rusty wings and a dingy breast.

 

LIFE HISTORY

Migration Status: N/A
Breeding Habitat: N/A
Nest Location: N/A
Nest Type: N/A
Clutch Size: 3-5
Length of Incubation: 12-13 days
Days to Fledge: 8-10
Number of Broods: 1
Diet: Almost exclusively seeds; lesser quantities of insects

 

SKY MEADOWS DISTRIBUTION/SEASONAL OCCURRENCE

 

Relative abundance and seasonal occurrence are indicated in red below.

 

Relative abundance
     C - Common: Likely to be present in good numbers in appropriate habitat and season.
     U - Uncommon: May be present in appropriate habitat and season, often in low
            numbers.
     O - Occassional: Found in appropriate habitat perhaps only a few times per season,
            sometimes low numbers.
     R - Rare: May not be recorded every year.
     Acc - Accidental: Recorded once or twice, may not be expected again for a long time.

 

Seasonal Occurrence
      Sp - Spring: March, April, May
      Su - Summer: June, July, August
      Fall: September, October, November

      Winter: December, January, February U

 

 

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